Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Historic Fieldstone Home in Pennsylvania
With stone, rough plaster and wood all around, a historic home in the countryside is heavy on charm
In the heart of Pennsylvania, charming fieldstone homes line the back roads. Some have been gutted, and others have been renovated. With a tasteful eye and modest budget, Darlene Weir transformed her fieldstone home into a modern, warm living space.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Matt and Darlene Weir and their 2 boys
Location: Pennsylvania
Size: 3,500 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The original 1796 cabin remains on the property, and the Weirs still use it.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Matt and Darlene Weir and their 2 boys
Location: Pennsylvania
Size: 3,500 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The original 1796 cabin remains on the property, and the Weirs still use it.
Regional stones make up Fieldstone Hill, as the house is called. This type of craftsmanship is a trademark of central Pennsylvania. Details like sage shutters, upper dormers, a chimney and a portico add grace and elegance. A dry-stacked stone wall defines the front entry and welcomes visitors.
The family uses a side door to enter the home.
Dripping chandeliers, towering walls of stone, family heirlooms and sleek designer finds make up the interior. Darlene Weir describes the home's look as "farmhouse simplicity meets high-gloss glamour."
Each piece of furniture looks custom made, but Weir has actually paired heirloom furniture with Craigslist items.
A split couch nestles perfectly under twin windows (the other half is shown in the previous photo). This piece is an heirloom from Weir's grandmother.
Turn the corner from the dining room to find an authentic fireplace and gleaming hardwood floors.
The family room is an addition to the back of the home that gives the Weirs space to spread out.
The home's style seems effortless — rustic walls and sleek yet traditional furnishings complete the look.
Weir left the exterior stone wall exposed and matched the floors throughout the home's ground level. She stained and distressed inexpensive pine floorboards to achieve the desired result.
A playroom on the second floor displays a space where the old back door previously opened into an inset bar.
Weir insisted that the bathroom have a claw-foot tub and traditional moldings.
Want to know where Weir gets style inspiration for other areas of her home, such as the bedrooms and upper levels? Her weekly "ditto" posts break down spaces and show readers how to achieve a certain look.
Weir uses this closet space as part of her home school. A vintage chalkboard and chairs give her boys a stylish place to learn. The collected look enables the room to be used for storage as well.
Designing rooms for children is one of Weir's specialties, as evident in this room for her boys.
The song-lyric artwork by The Finest Kind adds a sweet touch to the space. It uses rustic wood similar to that found elsewhere in the house.
The checkered floor is painted and sealed plywood.
Both sides of the boys' room have dormers and closets for storage.
Each nook has built-in storage, a kid-size bench seat and an outdoor view. Windows allow for plenty of natural light.
Whether with traditional trappings, glamorous accessories or farmhouse detailing, every inch of the home has been carefully studied, edited and crafted.
Steep, well-trod wood stairs lead up to the final floor, the attic.
Roughly plastered walls, wood floors and countless nooks make the perfect hideaway.
Each window has rough cloth curtains.
The third-floor attic has treetop views.
The property has three outbuildings, a creek and miles of meadows.
This cabin was built in 1796. The family who built the main home in 1820 also had the last name "Weir."
It is a wonder that the split-wood cabin is still standing. This amazing piece of history in the home's backyard once housed nine family members.
This original structure still contains the home's water pumps. They are now run by electricity.
The upper story was a smokehouse that is no longer in service.
The upper story was a smokehouse that is no longer in service.
The property's shallow, idyllic creek is perfect for wading.